Former Wayne council member dies at age 92

WAYNE - Longtime former Councilman Jerry Porter died peacefully at home on Saturday with his family by his side.

JERRY PORTER

Porter, 92, resided in the Packanack Lake community for almost 70 years, and was most noted for his time served as councilmen of the Third Ward.

"Jerry" as he was fondly referred as, was elected to the Wayne Town Council for four consecutive terms and was chosen as council president three times during his 20 years of service. He served four years as a regular member to the Wayne Public Library board and served one year as its president. He also served six years as a member of the Planning Board and one year as chairperson, served four years on the Wayne Township budget committee, acted as council liaison to the Wayne Public Library Board for two years, served as council liaison to the Planning Board for two years, was appointed to the Preakness Health Care Center Board for three years and was president of the board for one year, and was elected to the Saint Joseph Health Care Board for three years, according to his obituary.

"The residents of Wayne's Third Ward lost a very passionate and effective leader with Jerry's passing. He committed a tremendous part of his life to improve our community and the lives of our citizens," said Assemblyman and former township mayor Scott Rumana. "Wayne has lost a larger than life leader in Jerry's passing. On a personal level, I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to everyone in the Porter family. I owe Jerry an immense debt of gratitude for giving me my first opportunity, over 20 years ago, to have the honor in representing the public."

Porter was also known for his benevolence throughout the local area serving as a member of the Straight and Narrow board of managers in Paterson and an avid volunteer at Eva's Kitchen's Food Pantry, in Paterson.

Devout to his faith, Porter was a long time parishioner and Eucharistic minister at Immaculate Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Church, in Wayne, where he was active with the school. He also assisted with the church's basketball program where he acquired the nickname "coach." In addition, Porter was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Chapter 1020, and the Paterson Diocesan tithing program.

Sports were a big part of Porter's devotion to the youths of Wayne Township. Many sports programs in the Packanack Lake community were founded thanks to him. And was a member of the Packanack Golf Club for several years.

A veteran of World War II, Porter served in the U.S. Army. And despite only having one good eye, he served in the infantry and artillery divisions, which earned him various decorations including the American Theatre Ribbon, the European African-Middle Eastern Service Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal before being honorably discharged in 1945. Later Porter became a member of the American Legion Post 174 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

"Jerry was very interesting to serve with. He was always concerned with his ward and its constituents and what's best for the township. I respect what he did for the council as a whole and for his ward. I wish his family well," said Councilman Chris McIntyre, who served with Porter for almost 20 years.

For leaders and council members, Porter was a reflection of a job well done and someone to admire.

"Jerry Porter taught me a long time ago that taking care of residents concerns is the number one priority of being an elected official. He worked tirelessly for all of the residents of his ward and always reminded me to focus on the long term needs of our community," said Mayor Chris Vergano. "He dedicated his life to taking care of others that were less fortunate through his many activities. I will miss his smile and sense of humor both as a friend and a political mentor."

Council President Franco Mazzei, who took over for Porter in 2012, paid homage to his protégé.

"Jerry Porter was an amazing individual who meant so much to so many people in our community. To me personally, he was a mentor and teacher, and most significantly, a friend. In relation to the community, he was a champion and voice of the residents of the Third Ward and the entire Township of Wayne. He will be missed," Mazzei said.

The late councilman also had a mischievous side about him that many of his cohorts remember best about him.

"Jerry was a wealth of knowledge and I learned many invaluable lessons from him. During my freshman term on the council, I remember telling Jerry that I wanted to sponsor an ordinance but I didn't think I had the support of the entire council and without hesitation he said... 'Kid can you count to five?' and he held up five fingers and said 'that's the magic number.' Jerry had his own unique way of getting to five but somehow he always got there. I wasn't always as fortunate but he had a simple answer for that as well...'that's politics kid,'" said township clerk and former councilman Paul Margiotta. "One thing I will never forget though is how he shepherded my transition from councilman to township clerk. It's something I think about every day I come to work."

His good sense of humor will be greatly missed.

"Jerry Porter joking referred to himself as 'the king' and in reality he was the king of Packanack Lake. I served with him on the Planning Board for years and when I had a chance to run for town council he and his wife Doris gave me their support and he nominated me for the position," said Councilwoman-at-Large Lonni Miller Ryan. "Jerry was quick with a joke and I will truly miss sharing a bag of peanut M&Ms with him on the days where we were lucky enough to sit next to each other on the Planning Board and later the council. Jerry taught me the importance of constituent relations and listening to those you are elected to serve."

Predeceased by his wife Doris in April 2013, daughter Debbie in 2008 and siblings Walter J. Porter (2013) and Geraldine George, he is survived by his children - JoAnn M. Maurer and her husband Robert of Newtown, Conn., Tim Porter of Wayne, Gerard "Skip" Porter and his wife Mary of Wayne, Jayne Elizabeth Baskin and her husband Ron of Atlanta, Ga., Doris B. Porter of Atlanta, Ga., Thomas Porter and his wife Lisa of Haledon, and Patrick Porter and his wife Carole of Wayne; 10 grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.

Friends may visit with the family from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday night and 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd., Wayne. Funeral services will be held 9:30 a.m. on Thursday from the funeral home then to Immaculate Heart of Mary RC Church, 580 Ratzer Rd. where a 10:30 a.m. A funeral mass will be offered. Interment will be in Laurel Grove Cemetery, Totowa.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Packanack Fire Company #5, 5 Lake Drive West, Wayne, N.J. 07470 or the Passaic Valley Hospice, 783 Riverview Drive, Totowa, N.J. 07511 would be appreciated by the family.

Porter, 92, resided in the Packanack Lake community for almost 70 years, and was most noted for his time served as councilmen of the Third Ward.

"Jerry" as he was fondly referred as, was elected to the Wayne Town Council for four consecutive terms and was chosen as council president three times during his 20 years of service. He served four years as a regular member to the Wayne Public Library board and served one year as its president. He also served six years as a member of the Planning Board and one year as chairperson, served four years on the Wayne Township budget committee, acted as council liaison to the Wayne Public Library Board for two years, served as council liaison to the Planning Board for two years, was appointed to the Preakness Health Care Center Board for three years and was president of the board for one year, and was elected to the Saint Joseph Health Care Board for three years, according to his obituary.

"The residents of Wayne's Third Ward lost a very passionate and effective leader with Jerry's passing. He committed a tremendous part of his life to improve our community and the lives of our citizens," said Assemblyman and former township mayor Scott Rumana. "Wayne has lost a larger than life leader in Jerry's passing. On a personal level, I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to everyone in the Porter family. I owe Jerry an immense debt of gratitude for giving me my first opportunity, over 20 years ago, to have the honor in representing the public."

Porter was also known for his benevolence throughout the local area serving as a member of the Straight and Narrow board of managers in Paterson and an avid volunteer at Eva's Kitchen's Food Pantry, in Paterson.

Devout to his faith, Porter was a long time parishioner and Eucharistic minister at Immaculate Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Church, in Wayne, where he was active with the school. He also assisted with the church's basketball program where he acquired the nickname "coach." In addition, Porter was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Chapter 1020, and the Paterson Diocesan tithing program.

Sports were a big part of Porter's devotion to the youths of Wayne Township. Many sports programs in the Packanack Lake community were founded thanks to him. And was a member of the Packanack Golf Club for several years.

A veteran of World War II, Porter served in the U.S. Army. And despite only having one good eye, he served in the infantry and artillery divisions, which earned him various decorations including the American Theatre Ribbon, the European African-Middle Eastern Service Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal before being honorably discharged in 1945. Later Porter became a member of the American Legion Post 174 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

"Jerry was very interesting to serve with. He was always concerned with his ward and its constituents and what's best for the township. I respect what he did for the council as a whole and for his ward. I wish his family well," said Councilman Chris McIntyre, who served with Porter for almost 20 years.

For leaders and council members, Porter was a reflection of a job well done and someone to admire.

"Jerry Porter taught me a long time ago that taking care of residents concerns is the number one priority of being an elected official. He worked tirelessly for all of the residents of his ward and always reminded me to focus on the long term needs of our community," said Mayor Chris Vergano. "He dedicated his life to taking care of others that were less fortunate through his many activities. I will miss his smile and sense of humor both as a friend and a political mentor."

Council President Franco Mazzei, who took over for Porter in 2012, paid homage to his protégé.

"Jerry Porter was an amazing individual who meant so much to so many people in our community. To me personally, he was a mentor and teacher, and most significantly, a friend. In relation to the community, he was a champion and voice of the residents of the Third Ward and the entire Township of Wayne. He will be missed," Mazzei said.

The late councilman also had a mischievous side about him that many of his cohorts remember best about him.

"Jerry was a wealth of knowledge and I learned many invaluable lessons from him. During my freshman term on the council, I remember telling Jerry that I wanted to sponsor an ordinance but I didn't think I had the support of the entire council and without hesitation he said... 'Kid can you count to five?' and he held up five fingers and said 'that's the magic number.' Jerry had his own unique way of getting to five but somehow he always got there. I wasn't always as fortunate but he had a simple answer for that as well...'that's politics kid,'" said township clerk and former councilman Paul Margiotta. "One thing I will never forget though is how he shepherded my transition from councilman to township clerk. It's something I think about every day I come to work."

His good sense of humor will be greatly missed.

"Jerry Porter joking referred to himself as 'the king' and in reality he was the king of Packanack Lake. I served with him on the Planning Board for years and when I had a chance to run for town council he and his wife Doris gave me their support and he nominated me for the position," said Councilwoman-at-Large Lonni Miller Ryan. "Jerry was quick with a joke and I will truly miss sharing a bag of peanut M&Ms with him on the days where we were lucky enough to sit next to each other on the Planning Board and later the council. Jerry taught me the importance of constituent relations and listening to those you are elected to serve."

Predeceased by his wife Doris in April 2013, daughter Debbie in 2008 and siblings Walter J. Porter (2013) and Geraldine George, he is survived by his children - JoAnn M. Maurer and her husband Robert of Newtown, Conn., Tim Porter of Wayne, Gerard "Skip" Porter and his wife Mary of Wayne, Jayne Elizabeth Baskin and her husband Ron of Atlanta, Ga., Doris B. Porter of Atlanta, Ga., Thomas Porter and his wife Lisa of Haledon, and Patrick Porter and his wife Carole of Wayne; 10 grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.

Friends may visit with the family from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday night and 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd., Wayne. Funeral services will be held 9:30 a.m. on Thursday from the funeral home then to Immaculate Heart of Mary RC Church, 580 Ratzer Rd. where a 10:30 a.m. A funeral mass will be offered. Interment will be in Laurel Grove Cemetery, Totowa.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Packanack Fire Company #5, 5 Lake Drive West, Wayne, N.J. 07470 or the Passaic Valley Hospice, 783 Riverview Drive, Totowa, N.J. 07511 would be appreciated by the family.